5,025 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
For the past six months, my hand wound VC Portofino Moonphase IWC has been in Schaffhausen for an upgrade. As many of you know, one of the few complaints about this watch is the original crown was very small and the watch was quite difficult to wind. The stiff winding train combined with a small crown and an almost serrated edge was painful to operate.
Alan Ross took it to SIHH for me and transferred the patient to IWC for a trip to Schaffhausen’s master workshop for a crown replacement. I picked the patient up after its surgery this week at the NYC Boutique. I am very pleased with the results. It now winds as smooth as silk and inflicts no pain in the process.
As you will see the replacement crown is a bit thicker than the original. The diameter is not changed very much. It might be a bit larger, but without calipers, it can’t tell with the naked eye. The new crown is perfect. It is not so big that it looks out of place for the watch.
Here are some before and after shots of the patient.
The previous old crown:
The new crown. It’s hard to see a diameter difference:
Before and after dial shots:
Old crown
New crown, here you can see the difference. It's noticeably thicker with more of a serrated edge to grasp while winding. The serrated section is more robust. The old crown had a narrow serrated section, almost knife like, and the probus area was raised bulb like. The new crown has a flatter end cap where the probus scafusia is located.
Old from the back:
The old crown again.
New crown. What a beautiful movement. I could wear it backwards and be happy.
While I had the chance, I practiced with my camera to get some pics of the Portofino that is difficult to photograph with the deep black dial and non-luminous hands.
My thanks to all the people who transported, arranged for its repair and return, and most importantly thanks to the IWC masters who greatly improved the watches functionality. It definitely will be back in a normal rotation again.
3,723 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
Congratulations, the watch is more practical in use now.
But, this crown is not so stylish as the original one, it looks quite matter-of-fact to me, doesn't quite fit the rest of the watch. If it winds smooth as silk now, wouldn't it have been enough to soften up the movement, and keep the original crown? Did you keep the original crown, just in case you want to sell the watch?
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
5,025 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
Sunflower Wrote:Congratulations, the watch is more practical in use now.
But, this crown is not so stylish as the original one, it looks quite matter-of-fact to me, doesn't quite fit the rest of the watch. If it winds smooth as silk now, wouldn't it have been enough to soften up the movement, and keep the original crown? Did you keep the original crown, just in case you want to sell the watch?
Kind regards, Paul
Paul,
Yes, I was able to retain the original crown just in case. I disagree with your it does not fit observation. The overall look of the watch and crown has not changed much. The new crown is proportional to the rest of the watch. I like the new revised version. I was not wearing it too much under the tough to wind conditions.
1,806 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 4, 2003White House, NJ,
United States
Bill, glad you got your baby back. To my view, the differences are so slight as to not be noticeable. As it was replaced by IWC if I were buying it I would like it with the new crown. Just IMHO. Enjoy. Regards, Kevin
5,418 Discussions and CommentsMember since Dec. 22, 2006
I hope it will get plenty wrist time now that you can wind it efficiently. The new bigger crown doesn't dilute in anyway the good looks either. Win Win.
2,626 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2007
Pleased for you Bill. I was with you at SIHH 2011 when you mentioned the "tough to wind" to Herr Baumann and was amazed then to see his apparent real interest in your "feedback". Good to know that you have that beauty back - and that it's smooth as silk to wind.
Personally, I don't find the new crown visually disturbing at all - in fact looking at it now I'd rather say the original crown looks "bumpish" and that the new crown looks dead right!
Alan Ross took it to SIHH for me and transferred the patient to IWC for a trip to Schaffhausen’s master workshop for a crown replacement. I picked the patient up after its surgery this week at the NYC Boutique. I am very pleased with the results. It now winds as smooth as silk and inflicts no pain in the process.
As you will see the replacement crown is a bit thicker than the original. The diameter is not changed very much. It might be a bit larger, but without calipers, it can’t tell with the naked eye. The new crown is perfect. It is not so big that it looks out of place for the watch.
Here are some before and after shots of the patient.
The previous old crown:
The new crown. It’s hard to see a diameter difference:
Before and after dial shots:
Old crown
New crown, here you can see the difference. It's noticeably thicker with more of a serrated edge to grasp while winding. The serrated section is more robust. The old crown had a narrow serrated section, almost knife like, and the probus area was raised bulb like. The new crown has a flatter end cap where the probus scafusia is located.
Old from the back:
The old crown again.
New crown. What a beautiful movement. I could wear it backwards and be happy.
While I had the chance, I practiced with my camera to get some pics of the Portofino that is difficult to photograph with the deep black dial and non-luminous hands.
My thanks to all the people who transported, arranged for its repair and return, and most importantly thanks to the IWC masters who greatly improved the watches functionality. It definitely will be back in a normal rotation again.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
Cheers Greg Chalk
Cvanwhite at aol dot com
Last edited: 21 February, 2013 - 13:47
But, this crown is not so stylish as the original one, it looks quite matter-of-fact to me, doesn't quite fit the rest of the watch. If it winds smooth as silk now, wouldn't it have been enough to soften up the movement, and keep the original crown? Did you keep the original crown, just in case you want to sell the watch?
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
Paul,
Yes, I was able to retain the original crown just in case. I disagree with your it does not fit observation. The overall look of the watch and crown has not changed much. The new crown is proportional to the rest of the watch. I like the new revised version. I was not wearing it too much under the tough to wind conditions.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
regards,
thang
iwcforummer@outlook.com
Last edited: 21 April, 2013 - 08:55
Enjoy.
Regards,
Kevin
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:32
The new bigger crown doesn't dilute in anyway the good looks either. Win Win.
Andrew
andrew.thomas1@mac.com
Last edited: 26 June, 2012 - 21:53
Personally, I don't find the new crown visually disturbing at all - in fact looking at it now I'd rather say the original crown looks "bumpish" and that the new crown looks dead right!
Enjoy wearing this classic piece again.
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36